Former Wolfsbane, Blaze, and Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley returns with Promise and Terror, and album as epic as they come. While I have never been a huge fan of Bayley’s work, he is a guy that I have always rooted for due to the garbage he took from stupid fans when he was ASKED to fill an unfillable spot in Iron Maiden. He’s one of those artists I have never disliked but have always failed to make me think they created something exceptional as well.
With that said, Promise and Terror is an incredibly strong piece of work. The new band really gels here and the production is awfully close to perfect if you are a fan of traditional, straightforward, metal. The biggest thing here is Bayley’s voice. I’m not exactly sure what’s so different on this album but everything he does is spot on, elevating each song immensely from his previous efforts. The epic “1633” is a great example, Bayley sounds possessed on this one and it completely draws you into the song musically. His voice is like this weird bridge you cross over before getting surrounded by his team of merry men (aka the band). Another highlight is “Surrounded by Sadness,” and incredibly moving piece that seems much more intimate than the Dungeons & Dragons world this style of music normally sticks close to.
While this album isn’t going to make my list of favorites so far this year, it is an undeniably huge step for Bayley and company. With the exception of Iron Maiden’s Virtual XI, this is probably the best work Bayley has been a part of and I look forward to hearing his continual evolution. If his last few albums are any indication then he’s on the verge of something great for sure.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
